Griffin Health is committed to the care and safety of our patients. Please call your doctor or provider before your visit for the latest COVID-19 information and any safety precautions that may be needed to protect you. For more information on preparation, testing, visiting, and how to help click here. If you have COVID-19 questions call our hotline at 203-204-1053.

Griffin Health is committed to the care and safety of our patients. Please call your doctor or provider before your visit for the latest COVID-19 information and any safety precautions that may be needed to protect you. For more information on preparation, testing, visiting, and how to help click here. If you have COVID-19 questions call our hotline at 203-204-1053.

Coronavirus COVID–19 Information

We're here for you

In the best of times and in the most challenging times, we are here to help you stay safe and stay healthy.

Urgent medical care needs don’t stop for COVID-19, and your health is too important to postpone necessary care. That’s why we have taken extra precautions to ensure your safety so you can receive the care you need from our health experts.

Stay safe - with video or in-person visits

While some patients have chosen to receive their care through video visits (also called virtual visits), more of our patients are returning to our offices because in many cases, it’s the best way to get the care they need.

We want you to get the best care possible and feel confident that you will be safe when using our services. Griffin Health has implemented infection control procedures across all facilities. When you come to our offices, you’ll notice we’re doing things differently, more specifically:

All patients are pre-screened by phone before scheduling a visit.

We have designated COVID-19 care centers. Patients that have any COVID-19 symptoms will only be seen in designated offices or during special hours.

All appointments include COVID-19 screenings. All patients and visitors are screened for COVID-19 symptoms and must have their temperature taken during their appointment.

Our caregivers are checked daily. All medical providers and staff members are evaluated for any COVID-19 symptoms and have their temperatures checked daily.

Masks are mandatory. Masks are worn by all patients, visitors, medical providers, and staff members at all times.

Physical distancing is observed. Patients are carefully scheduled to minimize time in the waiting room and other common areas in our office. Seats in common areas are spaced at least six feet apart.

We have enhanced cleaning. Throughout the day and in between each visit, exam rooms and other key areas are rigorously disinfected. Every office and facility is professionally cleaned each night.

We are taking additional protective measures. Medical providers and staff consistently follow stringent hand-hygiene protocols before and after every patient encounter, as well as using personal protective equipment.

Stay healthy - don't delay care

If it’s time for your annual check-up, for preventive tests like mammograms and colonoscopies, or for diagnostic procedures like a cardiac stress test, your health is too important to postpone necessary care.

Delaying care can lead to complications and advanced stages of disease. Waiting can make medical issues worse and result in long-term damage that could have been avoided. If you suffer from a chronic disease such as diabetes, hypertension, or asthma, it is essential for you to maintain your regular care and continue taking your medication.

Emergencies don't stop for COVID-19

You may think it’s risky to seek medical care with COVID-19 in the community, but waiting too long to get help for medical issues or life-threatening conditions can be far more dangerous than COVID-19.

If you experience symptoms or a change in your health, please contact us even if you don’t think your symptoms are urgent. We are here to help and can discuss the best way to get the care you need.

If you are experiencing other more serious symptoms, like difficulty breathing or pain in the chest or abdomen, call 911 immediately. Just as our office has taken steps to ensure your safety, Griffin Hospital has done the same and is ready to take care of anyone needing emergency and urgent care.

Visiting Griffin Hospital

To help prevent the transmission of COVID-19, Griffin Health is taking temporary precautions to protect visitors, caregivers, and the community. All visitors will be screened prior to entry for your safety and the safety of your loved ones. The screening process includes information about symptoms of respiratory illness, and a touch-free thermometer scan to determine body temperature. Based on screening results, visitation and entry may be restricted. We appreciate your cooperation during this time of heightened concern.

Entry and Visitation Guidelines

Visitors, patients, and caregivers may enter through our main entrance only.

One visitor per patient at a time with additional consideration given in special circumstances such as patients at the end-of-life, pediatric patients and maternity patients in the Childbirth Center.

Please remain in your loved one’s room as much as possible and avoid other areas of the hospital.

Individuals showing signs of COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath) will be asked to return home and are invited to connect with their loved ones through virtual means, such as Skype, FaceTime, or telephone calls.

We recommend that the following people not visit patients or receive visitors while hospitalized:

Those who are at increased risk of severe illness, including people over the age of 70, immunocompromised individuals, and individuals who live with or care for such people.

Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 or are waiting for COVID-19 test results.

As indicated in Governor Lamont’s Executive Order No. 7C, there is an increased risk of rapid spread of COVID-19 among people being treated in a communal setting. For this reason at this time, visitation will not be allowed on the CP South Inpatient Psychiatric Unit or in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (Recovery Room). We suggest connecting with your loved ones through other means such as telephone calls.

We will continue to assess these policies to ensure that they reflect the most current knowledge and support our long-standing commitment to person-centered care.

Questions about COVID-19?

Call the Griffin Health Hotline at 203-204-1053

Griffin Health is offering a call center for patients, visitors and members of the community who have questions about COVID-19. Griffin Health caregivers are available to answer your questions Monday – Friday from 8AM – 5PM and Saturday-Sunday 8AM – 3PM.

Want to make a donation?

If you or someone you know is interested in supporting Griffin Health and our Caregivers so we can continue to do everything possible to maintain and replenish valuable supplies, there are two ways you can help. Click here to learn more.

Information about COVID-19

Griffin Health has been following the developing risk posed by the novel (new) coronavirus (COVID-19) closely.

We are constantly monitoring the spread of the virus, and continue to closely follow new guidelines or recommendations issued by the CDC as the public health community learns more about how COVID-19 is contracted, spread, and most effectively treated.

Griffin Health offers the following information to help keep our community aware of potential spread of the virus in our community and learn ways to reduce possible exposure:

What You Need to Know

The coronavirus COVID-19 was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. The virus has been detected in over 50 countries internationally, including the United States.

Coronaviruses are a family of (+) RNA viruses that can cause respiratory illness in humans. They get their name, “corona,” from the many crown-like spikes on the surface of the virus. They are common in many different species of animals (camels, cattle, cats, and bats). Rarely, animal coronaviruses can infect people and then spread between people such as with SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and now COVID-19.

COVID-19 is primarily spread through respiratory droplets. Generally, individuals within six feet of someone who is contagious and come into contact with these droplets will be infected. A person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

Symptoms of COVID-19 appear within two to 14 days after exposure and include:

Fever

Cough

Difficulty breathing (shortness of breath)

In the large majority of those infected, COVID-19 causes only mild cold symptoms. Severe cases can lead to pneumonia, difficulty breathing and death. According to data from China, the elderly (70+), and those with pre-existing medical conditions appear to be more vulnerable to the virus.

If you suspect you may have COVID-19, call your healthcare provider to discuss your symptoms and recent travel. Your physician will instruct you how to proceed with any care you need.

If your symptoms worsen, including difficulty breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to arouse or bluish lips or face, call 9-1-1 or go to a nearby emergency department for evaluation.

How You Can Be Prepared

As the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 increases in Connecticut, we strongly encourage individuals to practice proven methods to protect themselves from exposure to respiratory viruses.

The most important you can do to protect yourself from respiratory viruses is to practice good hand hygiene. You should wash your hands often, especially when visiting a public place like your workplace, a store, or a school. Wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available. Additionally, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

In addition to protecting themselves, individuals have a responsibility to help prevent the spread of a respiratory virus. You should avoid close contact with people who are sick, and stay home if you are sick. Always cover your mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue in the trash, then wash your hands. At your home and work, clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

The symptoms for COVID-19 include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Anyone who is experiencing these symptoms and has travelled to area where there have been confirmed cases of COVID-19, or have come in close contact with a person who is being evaluated for the virus, should contact their healthcare provider immediately for instruction on what you should do.

If you have flu-like symptoms, you should stay home and help relieve symptoms by getting rest, staying hydrated and taking steps to control your fever.

If you are unclear or concerned about your symptoms, you should contact your healthcare provider. Your physician will instruct you how to proceed with any care you need.

For severe symptoms, including difficulty breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to arouse or bluish lips or face, call 911 or go to a nearby emergency department for evaluation.

These steps are based upon the most up-to-date recommendations developed by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Connecticut Department of Public Health for identifying, isolating, and treating airborne viruses like influenza.

Additional Resources

Griffin Health Chief Medical Officer and Infectious Diseases Physician Dr. Frederick Browne has been providing information on COVID-19, its symptoms, who’s at risk, how the virus is transmitted, and how you can help prevent your exposure to the virus and contain its spread as well as developments with testing and testing requirements.